Monday, January 31, 2011

SaraGrace Update

Sweet baby girl had a quiet day today. She was in a lot of pain so they had to pump the pain meds, which made her sleepy. Later in the day, they changed them to one that makes her less sleepy and she perked up quite a bit. I was able to get her up walking tonight. She was quite resistant to the idea but once she was up, she was willing to walk down the hall a bit. She was very proud of herself and so was I.

Her biggest issue tonight was the return of the nasty cough she had last week. She had a bad coughing episode tonight and was crying pitifully. I vividly remember how much it hurt to cough, sneeze or laugh after my appendectomy and I honestly cannot even imagine how bad it must have hurt her to be coughing so hard tonight. Ugh.

I asked about cough medicine but they won't give her any because they want her lungs to be clear. Makes sense but certainly no fun for SaraGrace.

Jeff brought the three oldest girls up to visit tonight and to bring more supplies since we will most likely be staying for five days. He made it through a day at home with all the kids. Yay...he's da man.

We are on the cardiac floor and I am not supposed to have my cell phone on. So if you call, I will probably not answer, but if possible, I will go to a designated area to call you back. I cannot tell you how much all of your emails have encouraged us! Thank you so much for praying! And thank you for emailing and letting us know you are praying! We are doing very well and I'm sure it's because of all the prayer.

SaraGrace's cardiologist came in this morning just shaking his head. He is so nice and felt very bad for SaraGrace. He pointed out that two of the three times SaraGrace or Kate have been admitted here it has been for non-heart related issues. ha. What can we say? We are that family.

They have told us that SaraGrace will need 10 days of IV antibiotics. I think I told you that already. Sorry...my sleep-deprived brain is working very s-l-o-w-l-y.

{I say that as if it is an abnormal thing.}

Anyway...they are going to put in a Picc line tomorrow (aka central line) so that they can train me to administer the meds at home. They say that they will keep her here for the first 5 days and then if she is doing well enough, we can take her home for the last 5 days of meds.

I have always wanted to be a nurse, so I am kinda stoked about learning to flush lines and administer her meds. I know. I am so very weird.

And please do not worry about us. Although sleeping in the hospital is not my favorite thing on earth, if I get enough sleep, I can deal with the hospital thing fairly well {unless we get a roommate and then you might see me lose it completely}. God gave us the ability to do the hospital thing and it's really okay. I'm just so thankful for modern medicine--even when they do stupid things like test a child for constipation when she clearly has an appendicitis...and tell us her white count isn't high enough to be appendicitis and sends us to the bathroom to 'poop.'...and then the child strains so hard for 10 minutes that it's probably where her appendix ruptured...but I'm not bitter, just sharin' my testimony. haha

Ahhh..yes...I'm letting it go. People make mistakes. Just had to complain a bit. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.

Because, you know, I just hate it when people don't listen to me when I'm right.

Bahahahahahahaha.

Our prayer requests are:

For Jeff--that he would not be driven slowly mad and would be able to work out some babysitting so he can go into the office for some of the time this week. We are getting hit by the big winter storm that is hitting half the country, so I think Wed. will be a stay at home day for everyone in the city. Again...much potential for Jeff to be driven slowly mad.

For SaraGrace--that God would heal her cough so that she is not coughing at all...and no complications from the ruptured appendix.

For me--that I would get enough sleep at night and that we would not get a roommate.

{because I would really not like for ya'll to see how infantile I really can be about sharing a room with a stranger}

Waking up with IV's in both hands.

Jillian brought SaraGrace's homework tonight and helped her with it. She is a natural teacher.

Took over feeding the jello too.

SaraGrace tried to hold the pencil but it was impossible for her to write, so she told Jillian the answers and Jillian wrote them for her. So cute.

Poor sweet girl and poor mom that has to stand by and watch because there's nothing else you can do. :( Praying the coughing gone in Jesus' name and that her body continues to heal quickly. Praying for Jeff and his sanity. :)And praying for God to hear your hearts desire for sleep and NO roomates! LOL!Much love!Lisa

Continuing prayers for SaraGrace and all the things on your list...I understand about the not sharing the room with a stranger...LOL Hopefully a peaceful night with sleep for both of you and little to no coughing...

Oh my goodness gracious friend, I have definitely been absent. Wow, what drama you guys have had in the last few days. I am so sorry I never knew. Getting Anthony ready to leave for Africa has been a full time job :) My computer too a back seat.

Poor hunnie. Oh goodness, my heart breaks seeing her in such pain. Yuck. No fun at all. Praying for a speedy recovery and quick homecoming.

Oh Karin! I've been praying for you all. You're poor girl! I hope she is pain free very soon. I so love the pics of your older daughter helping SaraGrace...that is so precious. I wish I lived closer so that I could help with the kiddos...but I'll keep praying for that help for you and Jeff.

Oh my , poor SaraGrace .. we are praying for all of you and your needs . Our Camie (10) just had surgery last week so I have a little taste of having just been in the hospital . In Sept when Camie was in we had NO roommate , I know just how you feel about that . Praying that all goes well and you are home quickly , no compilcations !

Well, sweet sister, I am just about speechless!! I love that pic of Jillian helping Sara Grace with her homework - what a sweet sister. Am praying according to all your requests- especially for Sara Grace's healing and for her cough to be eased, while trusting Jesus to meet all your needs! Will be asking God for an extra outpouring of His grace for Jeff, making his time with the kids an extra special delight!! Hugs and prayers! Shelly

We'll keep praying here in NC too Karin! Yes, sleep is essential for Mommy to not become infantile in any way, shape, or form.

I too went in for terrible back pain one time (long ago) and the "doctor" told me I was constipated and prescribed Metamucil for the rest of my life or something dumb like that. I prescribed myself some ibuprofen, rest, and back-strengthening exerices and guess what? I got better--even without pooping! Imagine that! Tell Sarah Grace that she is a very brave and amazing young lady and that we praying for her quick recovery!

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About Me

I am a mom to ten great kids, 6 of whom have 'special needs,' and wife to a wonderful man, who is a gift from God. God has let us get a glimpse of His heart for the fatherless, and He is allowing us to be a small part of His mission to them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAVORITE QUOTES: Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God. --Bob Pierce ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaiming, "Wow, what a ride!!!"---Unknown
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Those who never learn to laugh at themselves miss many opportunities to be amused. --unknown
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All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.
--Edmund Burke
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"When people fear their government there is tyranny, when government fears the people there is freedom."
--Thomas Jefferson

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"We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life. But those who make their journey home across time and miles, growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them, are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us by God's very own hands." ---Kristi Larson